One hundred and thirty seven years ago, Rev. J. D. COLEMAN
rallied around him a few loyal and faithful Christians and organized
what has been known since that time as Reedy Creek Baptist
Church.

Records at hand do not give us the exact date of the erection
of the first "meeting house" which was built of logs. However, the
present building is standing near the spot where the original
building stood, and received its name from the small stream flowing
near the church.

Little is known of the young church during the first ten years
of its existence. However, the minutes of the Welsh Neck
Association, dating back to the middle of the 19th century give the
year 1840 as the date of the organization of the church. It seems,
due to the fact that there was no Association in the state at that time
nearer than the Charleston Association, that the church waited until
the organization of the Welsh Neck Association in 1849 to apply for
membership. The church was admitted into that Association when it
met at Bennettsville, November, 9, 1850.

Rev. J. D. COLEMAN, Mr. J. W. ATKINSON, and Mr. M. OWENS
went as delegates to the Association, and reported a total
membership of 53, of which 51 were white and two were black. The
church also reported twenty-eight additions, of which 24 were by
baptismal and 4 were by letter. (This is supposed to be the number
of additions since the organization of the church.) Preaching
services were being held at that time on the fourth Sunday in each
month.

Rev. R. JACKSON became pastor in 1855 and served the
church for about a year. There were at that time eighty-one
members, 73 whites and eight blacks. In 1856 Rev. J. D. COLEMAN
became pastor again and served the church for about ten years. In
1866 Rev. C. B. EAGERTON became pastor of the church but it seems
that his pastorate was for only a few months as Rev. A. R. PITMAN
was called the same year and served the church until 1869. He was
followed by Rev. J. M. LANE who served the church for one year.
It is assumed that in the early years of its existence, the church did
not maintain a Sunday School, since there is no reference in the
reports. However, it seems that with the coming of Rev. A. M. NODLES
as pastor in 1871 that a Sunday School was organized and reported
an enrollment of sixty-two pupils.

Rev. NODLES served the church for about two years when
Rev. E. EAGERTON was called. Rev. Eagerton served the church for
only one year and the Rev. Thomas P. LIDE was called who served a
period of twelve years, from 1876 to 1888.

Following the pastorate of Rev. Lide, Rev. K. BARNES was
called who served for three years, and he was followed in 1893 by
Rev. W. T. TATE. Rev. Tate's pastorate was a short one - only one
year - and he was followed by Rev. W. A. HUMPHRIES. Rev.
Humphries served the church for four years and was followed by
Rev. A. T. ROGERS in 1900 who served for two years. Rev. Rogers
contributed greatly to the progress of the church and upon his
resignation, he recommended to the church Rev. C. W. HOOD, a
seminary class mate, whom the church called as pastor.

Rev. Hood served the church upon three different occasions.
He began his first pastorate here in the year 1903 and served for
three years. During that pastorate a new church building was
erected in 1904. It was also during this time that the W.M.S. was
organized in 1903. Mrs. C.W. HOOD was the first president. Mrs.
Hood became an active W.M.U. worker in the Association, assisting
in the organization of societies of Gapway and Little Bethel churches
and promoting the organization of Y.W.A.'s, Sunbeam Bands, and
R. A. Chapters in some of these churches.

Rev. Hood was followed in 1907 by Rev. J. A. MASON who
served for two years, at the close of which Rev. A. T. ROGERS was
called to serve the church for the second time. Rev. Rogers served
for only about a year this time and was followed by Rev. J. M.
CULBERTSON who also served for one year. Rev. Hood returned to the
church as pastor for the second time in the 1914 and served for four
years. He was followed in 1919 by Rev. W. L. BRITT who served for
one year, and then in 1920 Rev. G. C. HEDGEPATH was called.
During his pastorate the church went forward in every phase of its
work and came to be recognized as one of the leading rural
churches of the state.

MINUTES:

The Reedy Creek Baptist Church met in conference Nov 14, 1894
Called the roll, and read minutes of last meeting.
Received the report of com(mittee) to see Brother Lewis, and
discharged them.
Our beloved Brother Tate tendered his resignation, as pastor of the
church, which was accepted.
The deacons were appointed as a com. to look out a pastor.
Took up business of the Union meeting and sent as delegates, J. G.
Coleman, D. R. Dozier, J. W. Smith, J. O. Smith, and Joe Collins.
Adjourned Rev. W. T. Tate, Mod
H. G. White, clerk

The Reedy Creek Baptist church met in conference Feby 23, 1895.
Called the roll, and read the minutes of the last meeting.
Took up unfinished business, and heard report of com. to see bro.
Joe Collins, and continued the case with the same com..
Heard report of com. to see bro. D. F. Jordan and discharged the
com. but continued his case with bro. J. T. Dozier Sr., as a com. to
see bro. Jordan.
Heard report of com. appointed to concur with those other churches,
and discharged them.
Quite a large number of absentees were reported, and on motion of
W. C. Smith all absentees were excused up to date.
Bro. W. Bright Smith was reported to the church for drunkeness,
and bro. A. N. Smith and J. L. Coleman were appointed to
investigate the matter.
A charge was prefered against bro. L. B. Dozier for comtempt of the
church, and bro. J. O. Smith tendered his resignation as assistant
treasurer which was accepted.
Adjourned W. A. Humphrey, Mod., H. G. White, Clerk

The Reedy Creek Baptist Church met in conference March 23, 1895
Called the roll, and read minutes of last meeting.
The com. to see bro. Joe Collins, made their final report which was
accepted and the com. discharged and upon satisfactory confession
the bro. was forgiven.
Heard report of com. to see bro. Jordan and discharged them. The
Church took up bro. Jordans case, and withdrew fellowship from
him.
Heard report of com. to see bro. W. Bright Smith, and discontinued
the case.
The com. appointed to secure a house for bro. Humphrey, having
made the necessary arrangements were discharged.
On motion J. G. Coleman the Church agreed to carry out the Church
covenant in the future
The clerk and treas. were appointed as a com. to see those that are
in areas on our former pastor's sallary, and ascertain why they have
not paid.
Granted to N. P. Smith and family, letters of dismission.
H. G. White offered his resignation as clerk, but the Church would
not accept it.
Adjourned W. A Humphrey, Mod,, H. G. White, C.C.

The Reedy Creek Baptist Church met in conference Sept 21, 1895.
On motion the calling of the roll was omitted. The minutes of
previous meeting was read and approved.
Heard report of com. to see bro. Jack Smith, and dropped the
case, provided he does not live in the same house with the woman
any more, if he dies he by that act excludes himself.
Heard the report of com. to investigate the case against bro.
J. A. Smith. They after careful examination found him guilty, but
believing him consciencous in what he said, forgave him.
Granted letters of dismission to sisters Mattie Cook and
Susan Stephans.
A charge was prefered against bro. W. J. Ammons for
profanity, the church being made satisfide of his obstinate guilt,
excluded him.
A charge was prefered againts bro. W. C. Smith for profanity.
The church finding that the bro. was overtaken in the fault, forgave
him.
Charges of unchristian conduct was prefered against breth.
A. P. Coleman and D. R. Dozier. (Rest of page missing.)

Reedy Creek Baptist Church met in conference Saturday before the
4th Sunday in Nov, 1895.
Called the role, and read minutes of previous meeting.
Took up the cases against brethren Dozier and Coleman, one at a
time, and forgave them.
Opened the door of the church.
Granted a letter of dismission to sister Sallie Alford.
Granted a letter of dismission to bro. H. G. White.
H. G. White tendered his resignation as clerk of the church.
Archie Owens was elected as clerk.
Took up the business of the union and elected the following
delegates:
D. R. Dozier, M. W. Owens, T. K. Lee, J. W. Ammons, and A. N.
Coleman.
The com. to select decons deferred their report another month.
On motion, a building com. was appointed as follows: W. S. Shelley,
J. S. Coleman, C. R. Moore, M. W. Owens, C. W. Gordon, G. D.
Coleman, J. W. Ammons, and bro. W. A. Humphrey.
Adjourned, Rev. W. A. Humphrey, Mod; H. G. White, clerk

Reedy Creek Baptist Church met in conference Saturday before the
fouth Lords Day in October 1900. Call role of Male members and
red (sic) and approved minutes of previous meeting.
Sister Jammie Davis, Susan Ammons and bro. Arteamous Alford
was excluded for unchristian conduct.
Report was heard from the deligates to the union; there were $11.01
sent from this church to the union.
Report from the deligates to the Sociation (association) was heard;
there was $10.00 sent from this church to the sosiation.
Moved and carried to appoint Thanksgiving Day for the purpose of
contributing to the orphans at Greenwood, S.C.
Bro. M. W. Owens and bro. G. D. Coleman was appointed as a
committee to see about building a parsonage. Rev. James A. Smith
recd $25 from this church for helping meeting of
dues........Adjourned
Rev. A. T. Rogers, Mod; W. J. Dozier, C.C.

Reedy Creek Baptist Church met in conference Saturday before
fourth Sunday Dec. 1907.
Called the role, read and approved minutes of previous meeting.
Took up the business of the union and appointed brethren W. D.
Coleman, Ford Shelley, Bright Smith, W. J. Atkinson and J. L.
Coleman as delegates.
Bro. J. L. Coleman made a statement concerning aged ministers
and requested that the church raise $500 for that purpose.
Bro. T. K. Lee offered up his resignation as sexton and Bro. John
Coleman was elected in his place.
The Treasurer offered up his resignation and was reelected.
Received Sister Lillie Legette by letter into the church.
The clerk offered up his resignation and was reelected.
Adjourned,
Rev J. A. Mason, Mod; T. L. James, clerk

Reedy Creek Baptist Church met in conference Saturday before the
fourth sunday Jan. 1908.
Called the role read and approved minutes of previous meeting.
Received Sister Henrietta Ammons into the fellowship of the Church.
Took up a case against Sister Mary Flowers for disorderly walk and
excluded her.
Adjourned,
Rev. J. A. Mason, Mod;, Tomie James, Church C.

Reedy Creek Baptist Church met in conference Saturday
before the fourth Sunday in April 1908
Called the role, read and approved minutes of last meeting.
Received Bro. Walter Harrellson into the watch care of the
Church until further information was recieved, and appointed
T. L. James as committee..
Restored Bro. J. R. Flowers into the fellowship of the Church
and granted him a letter of dismission to Marion.
Granted Bro. Roy McDonald and wife letters of dismission
to Gapway, Adjourned
Rev. J. A. Mason Mod; T. L. James, C.C.

Reedy Creek Baptist Church met in conference Saturday before
the fourth Sunday in May 1908.
Called the role, read and approved minutes of last meeting.
Decided to continue the case of Bro. Harrellson another month
with the same committee.
Took up the business of the union and appointed brethren Ford
Shelley, J. L. Coleman, T. K. Lee, W. Bright Smith, and Archie
Owens as delegates.
Decided to raise $200, $50 a year for 4 years for education.
Adjourned
Rev. J. A. Mason, Mod; T. L. James, C.C.